New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-03
UNITED BY A COMMON GRIEF.
STRONG VI sAL1rY OF PLYMOUTH CHURCH.


FOLLOWING IN ITS FOUNDERS FooTsTEPs-sEEK-
ING SUCCESSOR TO MR. BEECHER.
II IA almost four months since the death OF MI
eeeher and the predictions Of those who declared
that Plymouth Church would fall to pieces the moment
Eta great pastor was gone be verified there should
he some signs the expected disntegraon Eut 80 iar
as outside appearances co. the church was never more
strongly united now, and the manifestations OF IN
teres in the services work more crafty
ing While the future of the great organization which
Mr. Beecher built up by his forty work In Brook
lyn has engrossed much thought and anxiety the MEM
bers have been content devote 10
ing the interests of the present. leaving the future to
care for itself to great degree
While Mr. Beecher was alive he often found fault Tor
the apparent lack of spirituality In the church. ana COM
ained because the members depended almost entirely
upon him for the conduct OF the prayermeetings But
as soon longer there to lead thei' scors VI
those who dared to speak or pray In ms
seemed to have their tongues loosened ana nave snce
taken prominent parts In the exercises. insteao vi
many vacant seats at the Friday evening meetings. as
was the rule when Mr. Beecher had charge In late years.
the ectureroom has frequently been cro"oed W i'S
fullest capacity I'm last four months The attendance
at the Sunday morning services has been almost as large
an when Mr. Beecher preached while the Sunday eve
ming lectures by Professor r. W. Raymond fol- eight
weeks have nearly filled the church When they were
begun IL was thought that the lectureroom would be
large enough but small the first evening and
the audience adjourned to the church, which has since
been used .
The pulpit has been occupied by the following we'll
known ministers since the church became pastoress'
Thomas Armitage, Lyman Abbott George Il. heca,
John W. Malcolm, James Powell, william burne'
Wright Samuel G. Smith. William NJ. Taylor Joseph d.
Twichel Luther T. Townsend Reuen Thomas, Henfy
NJ Sanders Charles E. Stowe and Samuel scovllo Inc
pulpit will be filled to-day by the Rev. L. L. EVere''
and next Sunday by the Rev. W. b. Brown OF East
hxxi1t ha nlo
the third Sunday in September Dr. Joseph Parker Oh
London will preach on the first two sundays In OCTOBER
No one of those thus invited to preach can In any
way be regarded candidate for the pulpit Inc
intention the services Oh representa-
tive ministers whose positions such that they would
not be regarded as available The first steps In regard
to the matter of supplying the pulpit permanently were
taken when the new Advisory Committee was consu
tuted This is composed Of twentyone OF the leading
members of the church. including s. V. Whlte l. A
seccomb r. W. Raymond, Augustus storrs A. ID.
wheeiock, T. J. Tflney F. G. Marvel, r. w. Ropes,
Thomas G. Sherman, /. A. Stanwood, John Clanin' H.
IT. Bush H. L. Pratt, c. 7. Christensen, IL. w. Wheeler
John T. Howard, John W. Mason, o. A. eager, George
W. Brush NJ. C. Ogden Alonzo Slote and FRANK Rudd
To this committee referred month ago the work OF
assisting the church in the selection OF permanent
pastor.
r. W. Raymond has been made chairman OF the com
mittee and f. c. Marvel clerk. Mr.. Maxwell Is author
lied to receive all communications III relation 10 the
of supplying the pulpit and already long LIS. Oh
names has been submitted He will spend his vacation
at Leicester Mass and some OF his time VIII DE deVoteo
TO putting matters in shape for meeting OF the Adj
yisory Committee in the autumn He had this to say
last week to TRIBUNE reporter in regard to tho affairs
of the church:
The whole question of securing pastor win come be,
nrpose The church rules say The choice OF pastor
must be made at meeting especially called for that
BY rnsn the Ok the Church
approved by the soces %n,Gn os mus na
empowered to make any choice for the church; but II
its members agree their opinion 1 would s undoubtedly
No hssty steps will be taken think we can ma r
the hurch forward successfully the lines laid down
by Mr.. Beecher An exceedingly favorable impression
pulpit; but he has large church at Brooklpe. Mass.
and would take strong 70 draw MN AWAY
keep their eyes and ears open this suDmei ana Mhen
they together IN the bae Ml over Se
members in the church, aud each VIII have voice IN
the na hs Saer viii be- seea to the satisfaction Of
ALL
The only definite public statement in regard to what
tho church needs has been made by Thomas o. smear
man. who was applauded when he said in recent meet
Ing that they must get pastor who would deem 1t
his duty to correct what he considered MI Beechers
theological errors who would attempt to carry the
church back to Calvin or ST. Augustine He urged the
choice of man whose beliefs would be In harmony with
Beccners
carry on his work Mr.. Shearnan has gone TO England
and will not return for six months.
No one has come into moro prominence In Plymouth
Church since Mr. Beecher's death than Professor
Rossiter W. Raymond. He is expert mining engineer
one of the Electric subway Commissioners of Brooklyn,
and a Novelist and poet of mean ability When MI
Beecher was alive Professor Raymond frequently spoke
in the Friday evening meetings. and he conducted an
adult Bible class in the church for years AT the last
prayer meeting Beecher attended he had to go away
early to speak at hghlcense meeting in this city, He
asked Mr.. Raymond to take his place. AS II this were
prophetic, Professor Raymond has conducted nearly all
the Friday night meetings since, by the choice OF the
official members. He has done much to stir up the
church and inspire IL TO go forward In the line OF Mr.
Beechers teachings Since May he has also given
lectures on the Bible sunday evenings One enthus
iastic member mas said:
Professor Raymond has filed Mr.. Beechers place so
well that ought to sail him as our PASTOR NO
is better ed to carry on the work Of Tego a
he and would be heard TO more edhcaoh py the
regretted that he could near Professor Raymond's
Bible lectures because they were Delivered al inc hour
when he preaching in the evening.
John T. Howard is the only active member remaining
NJ tbose who founded the church. He is still hale ana
hearty and his face the rddy hue of health, al
though the frosts OF moro than seventy years nave
whitened sparse locks He Is one OF the most acVe
members OF the church and has filed almost every
official position. On recent evening "r ho""i" '"'
to a TRIBUNE reporter:
The future of church is full OF hopefulness inc
members have held together wonderfully since inc loss
Of our pastor and there is every indication OF future
nrosperty Ii Is remarkable how the young men OF the
chnrh have como forward and taken part In all the
exsreisss We have had q series Of most interesting
meetings think all tried to do just what Mr.
peecher would have had us do; and ! think we nave
succeeded have seen such complete harmony III
the church. .., , 4,o,,ch. -,
The matter Of pastor has scarcely been thought OF
Mt all and nothing has yet been done we nave han
good preachr every Sunday and soon the church VIII
be closed for the summer; When we reopen ~ t nc
autumn something may be done, but II VIII prootpy DC
a long time before the matter Is settled.
A somewhat similar expression of opinion was given
nv Henry T. Pratt ono of the leadr deacons and an
active member Of the church He said;
We seem hardly to need pastor now there is sncn